This book swept me through its covers in record time. It's just that good! 

Written by actor Gene Hawkman, and underwater archeologist, Daniel Lenihan, this pair takes us on a swashbuckling journey from Salem, Massachusetts around the world with many death-defying encounters. The story is set circa 1800, and features Jack O'Reilly, the son of an Irish gunsmith and a Cuban noblewoman. The family falls on hard times, and they set sail on the star to Jack's mother's lands in Cuba. In Cuba, treachery and murder rob Jack of his family, and he becomes a member of the crew of the merchant ship that brought him there. 

 In his travels, Jack experiences the stormy, unforgiving currents around Cape Horn, coming into very close contact with Antarctica, dealing with insane, and malicious ship's officers. For some time, he is castaway, then a pirate, but always in search of a way to get revenge on those who took his family away. The crew of the Star becomes his new family, and he makes some very close friends on his journey. For adventure lovers, Perdido Star is a must, in the tradition of Treasure Island, and many other great swashbucklers.